Glasgow branch backs vital service for women who have experienced sexual violence

The Herald 2 August 2010
Rape victim support centre to close as council cuts back
The Evening Times 2 August 2010 
Alert on threat to rape victim advice service as staff quit


UNISON's Glasgow branch today urged Glasgow City Council to keep open a vital service for women who have experienced sexual violence.


Brian Smith, branch secretary, told The Herald and the Evening Times that Breakthrough for Women provides essential advice, support and counselling, helping hundreds of women each year from across the city.


He added: “After meeting with council officers on 29 July, UNISON is of the view that the Council intend to close Breakthrough for Women.

"We would ask that this important service to women who have experienced sexual violence is retained. The demand for the service remains and is valued by the women who use it, other frontline social work staff and other agencies.

"We hope that the Council demonstrates its commitment to this group of vulnerable women by continuing to offer the current services.”

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Glasgow Evening Times: Pay-row water staff to walk out

Glasgow Evening Times: Pay-row water staff to walk out

By Gordon Thomson

AROUND 2000 Scottish Water staff were expected to walk out on strike today in protest at a below inflation pay rise.

Strikers included engineers who repair water bursts and staff responsible for water quality at a network of 44 treatment plants in and around Glasgow.

More industrial action was expected to be taken by members of Unison, GMB and Unite if the utility giant fails to return to the negotiating table to resolve the dispute.

Scottish Water which employs almost 3700 workers has imposed a wage rise worth 3% over 15 months.

Strike leaders say it's the equivalent of an annual rise of just 2.4%.

They are demanding a bigger increase and point to hefty pay hikes of up to 40% executive board members have awarded themselves in the past two years.

Unison official Dave Watson said: "In recent years our members workers have helped to save Scottish Water over £1billion through reduced operating costs and improved efficiencies.

"Customers and directors have benefited, while workers have faced real terms pay cuts due to inflation.

"Scottish Water has the money to make a reasonable pay deal - the problem is the Scottish Government is blocking them from doing so."

Union negotiator Dougie Black said: "I would invite Scottish Water and the Scottish Government, even at this late stage, to come back to the negotiating table.

"We are always ready to talk about a way to settle this dispute."

Unite has not commented but GMB negotiator Richard Leonard has likened Scottish Water to a "Victorian Mill owner", adding: "We are looking for public support.

"This dispute is about looking after people who look after our environment, our public health and our natural resources."

Scottish Water claims the pay rise meets public sector wage constraints and insisted the 24-hour strike due to begin at noon would have little or no effect.

Evening Times: Kelvingrove closed as 200,000 strike over pay

by Gordon Thomson

Glasgow Evening Times
Wednesday 24 September 2008

GLASGOW'S top tourist attraction was shut today - with staff accused of taking "unlawful" strike action. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and 13 other museums across the city failed to open, along with the Tramway Theatre, as staff joined 200,000 council workers from across the country in a day of action over pay.

The city's museums, libraries, leisure sites and community facilities are now run by Culture and Sport Glasgow.

All the major unions say its 2000-strong workforce were eligible to take part in today's stoppage. Bosses, however, dispute that claim. A spokesman said: "Despite unlawful industrial action, the majority of sport and leisure facilities managed by Culture and Sport Glasgow on behalf of the city remain open."

As the row erupted, council services across Scotland ground to a halt.

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